1618-1619 In 1618 the great Synod of Dort convened in the Netherlands. The Synod met for several months and was concluded in 2019. For a large part of the meetings, several foreign delegates were present and had an important part in the discussions. The Synod dealt with the errors of the Arminians and wrote in… Continue reading Synod of Dort reformed the Order of the Church
(This article was published in Una Sancta of 6 February 2021, Volume 68, no. 1. Seeing that much of it is still very much applicable and timely, I republish it here. It is not only about leadership outside the church but also inside the church. Sadly, also within the church we can see leaders abusing… Continue reading Good Leadership Needed
To whom belongs the child? In 1996 Rev. G. Van Popta delivered a speech at a teachers’ convention which was published in Clarion, in which he addressed this question. In it, he summarises and evaluates an extensive discussion which our Canadian brothers and sisters had at that time about this question, in which he also… Continue reading Reformed Education: whose responsibility?
For those interested in reading more about Reformed Education, I collected a number of links to articles on this page. The first articles are on this website. Thereafter I list a number of articles that are either quoted in the articles on this website or are of interest. Articles on this website: Reformed Education: whose… Continue reading Reformed Education: a collection of articles
The church order of the Free Reformed Churches (article 53) stipulates that the elders shall see to it that the parents take their responsibility in providing their children education which is based on Scripture and Confession. It doesn’t speak about the elders sending children to Reformed Schools, or about parents having to do so. It only speaks about the… Continue reading Reformed Education and article 53 of the Church Order
Labour When we speak about ‘labour’ we often think about paid work. The Labour party is the party of the workers, which came up in the past to defend the rights of the labourers and make sure they got a fair pay. If Labour Day is used for more than just a day of, it… Continue reading Volunteer work as labour of love
The Free Reformed Churches of Australia Why are our churches called ‘The Free Reformed Churches of Australia’? Since 1955 the Free Reformed Churches of Australia have been using this name. Three churches, the churches in Albany, Armadale, and Launceston, formed this federation of churches in 1954 at the first synod in Armadale, and in 1955… Continue reading What is in a name?
Irony Over the past decades, we see that in our Western society more and more the traditional family is being dismantled and the divine institution of marriage denied. Lately even many try to undo God’s work of creation in which He created man male and female. It is ironic that in this society the COVID… Continue reading Back to the Family
(This article was published before in Una Sancta 6 March 2021) Old Testament Labour relations are a big topic in our time. But as God’s people we must know that already 3,500 years ago God made provisions for labour relations among His people. In the Old Testament God gave instructions to His people how the… Continue reading Labour Relations among God’s people
When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He. (John 8:28) This is not the first time that we read these words in the gospel of John. In John 3:14 the Lord Jesus said in His conversation with Nicodemus, (just before He spoke the words in John 3:16… Continue reading When you lift up the Son of Man …
(This article was first published in Una Sancta 65-06, 21 April 2018.) What makes a great leader? We all may have memories of great political leaders from the past. We will remember some important leaders from church history. And many of us will probably have someone in the past who was important for him (or… Continue reading Called to be godly leaders
The Bible Study about Revelation 10 and 11 is ready to go. It is available on the YouTube account of the Free Reformed Church of Kelmscott. An outline can be downloaded here. With the changing situation and the Bible Study Clubs being able to get together again, starting next week, I will finish this Bible… Continue reading Bible Study Revelation 10 and 11
The Bible Study Revelation 8 and 9 is online now and can be watched here. An outline is available for download here. Revelation 8 Vs. 1: Seventh seal opened! silence: goes to climax! During half hour: preparation for the seven trumpets. Trumpets: to announce. The seven trumpets are going to announce the Judge. They indicate:… Continue reading Bible Study Revelation 8 and 9
The Bible Study for Revelation 7 is available online. An outline can be downloaded here. Bible Study Revelation 7 the sealed servants of God After these things: see 6:17 Four angels: the four corners of the earth. Four winds: Four is number of the earth. Earth, sea, tree: trees mentioned: usually most affected by storms.… Continue reading Bible Study Revelation 7
The Bible Study about Revelation 6 is online: click here. An outline for this Bible Study is available as well, click here. Revelation 6: Six seals opened The First Four Seals: Opening of seals: not the contents of the scroll yet. First four seals: group of four: four is number of the earth, four creatures… Continue reading Bible Study Revelation 6
This week’s Bible Study is ready and online. This is the link to the video. The outline in PDF format is available here. Bible Study Revelation 4 Second Vision: ch. 4-16. Structured around the symbols: Four part introduction of the second vision: ‘In the Spirit’ (see also 1:10; 17:3, 21:9) Someone (an angel: 17:3, 21:9;… Continue reading Bible Study Revelation 4
The Bible Study for Revelation 2 & 3 is available. This time I have a longer and a shorter version. Revelation 2 and 3 form a unity: the seven letters to the seven churches in Asia. I wanted to keep them together in this Bible Study. If I also want to go in a bit… Continue reading Bible Study Revelation 2 & 3
This is the third Bible Study on Revelation. An outline in PDF format for this Bible Study can be found here: This is the outline for the entire chapter 1. The outline for today’s Bible Study are the pages 13 – 15. The video with the Bible Study can be found here. Verse 9 – 11 Verse… Continue reading Bible Study Revelation 1:9-20
This is the second Bible Study on Revelation. An outline for this Bible Study can be found here. The outline for today’s Bible Study are the pages 7 and 8. The video with the Bible Study can be found here. Revelation 1:4-8 Greeting the Seven Churches 4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:… Continue reading Bible Study Revelation 1:4-8
Every Sunday afternoon, we go to church to listen to the Catechism preaching. During the week, the ministers are teaching the catechism classes. This is an old tradition, established by the Synod of Dort, 1618/1619. It has a biblical foundation. In Deuteronomy 6 the parents are told that they should take every opportunity to teach… Continue reading Synod of Dort on Catechism Teaching
